My next door neighbor and I are polar opposites in nearly every demographic category. You could fill a whole page describing the differences in our employment, economic status, education, race, sexual orientation, religion, family background, etc. What we share, however, is a commitment to make our neighborhood a good place to live, so together we examine the vegetables growing in front porch pots, discuss block parties and neighborhood happenings, bandage little boys’ skinned knees, commiserate about faltering relationships, lament broken car windows, gripe about city politics. Although she and I might contrast on the outside, our core values line up: values of caring for the people around us, even if—as often happens in big cities—they are strangers; values of actively contributing to our community, even if—as often happens in big cities—we are frustrated by the effects of crime and poverty and corruption; values of respecting and honoring differences, especially when—as often happens in big cities—we are surrounded by so much diversity.

Mel
Philadelphia, PA